Beach Bodies

Eyeing, Jones Beach, 1993

"I stayed in one spot, got down at a low angle, and watched these two interact for a little bit. The guy was obviously struck by her. I don't know if they came there together…or if they left together!"

Trapped, Jones Beach, 1992

"These folks didn't have any idea I was photographing them. For this particular photograph I was just sitting on my blanket, having lunch, and saw this family with the mom and dad totally stretched out, sleeping, and the little girl in between…"

Beached Bikini, Jones Beach, 1989

"Fortunately I had a zoom lens, so I didn't have to move too close and risk getting her attention. So I just zoomed in really tight. I got the right angel, and the right framing."

Ernst and Son, Jones Beach, 1993

"I saw this guy on the shore, very distinctive, so I just started talking to him. He was open to letting me take his picture, being a professional body-builder, and was very comfortable in front of the lens."

Maxi, Jones Beach, 1983

"She was part of this group of friends who came to the beach. I thought the whole group was really interesting. She had a very distinctive look, very Brooklyn."

Crowd, Jones Beach, 1989

On weekends when we're having a heat wave, this is what you find at Jones beach. Everybody has his own little spot, everybody respects everyone else. It just shows you people can get along if they want to."

3 Guys, 3 Girls, Jones Beach, 1989

"I wanted to shoot these girls, but realized they were a bit camera shy. Because I was there and had the camera up, the guys just jumped right in. I thought: This is the solution. I'm just gonna focus on the guys. Maybe they made a connection afterwards."

Jones Beach Disco, 1980

"This was when you'd bring your boom box to the beach, and crank up the music, and just dance. I got so into their excitement that I got closer and closer with the camera, and was just moving with them."

Jesse at Jones Beach, 1983

"When I took this, I wasn't having a very good day. And something about this just struck a chord with me."

Lifeguard's Dream, Jones Beach, 1972

"This is one of my best photos. I saw the girls and the guy sitting there and started clicking away. And after two or three clicks the girls noticed me and got embarrassed, and just totally cracked up."

Priscilla, Jones Beach, 1969

"One of the very first, and one of the best photos I've ever taken at the beach. I spotted her and just got a couple shots off…It all happened so fast, and when I looked back up she was totally gone. One of the members of Dinosaur Jr. had the first book that I did, called me about the photo (which ended up on the cover of the band's 1991 album Green Mind.) I'm a terrible business man, and didn't know how to deal with it at all."

Mrs. K and Daughter, Jones Beach, 1970

"This was just a very nice connection with a family at the beach."

Soaring, Rolling Stones Fans, 1978

"I love the Stones, and two of my students (from the high-school photography class Szabo taught) had tickets to the concert, but no car. I did, and they asked me, and it was a good trade-off. The place was absolutely packed, everyone just jammed up against the stage, and I realized there was no way I was going to get a shot of Jagger. So I just looked around and thought, these people are so interesting they're going to be my subject. This guy here just was just flying…There was no gravity for him."

Rolling Stone Beauty, Rolling Stones Fans, 1978

"When I saw this girl just looking down at her boyfriend, I managed to get off a couple shots…It's just completely candid, unguarded."

Hurt, 1972

"I remember being on the board walk, and seeing this girl walking really fast, and just looking really upset. And I thought, if she passes by this one spot which I'm going to focus on, I'll be able to get the shot. I got just one shot, and I got lucky."

Salute, Rolling Stones Fans, 1978

"Just one of the guys in the crowd I was really drawn to."

Bump, Rolling Stones Fans, 1978

"This just has such a great beat, such a sexual feeling."

Blanket Couple, Rolling Stones Fans, 1978

"They seemed almost like atypical fans at a Stones concert. The girl with the big glasses. I liked them because they looked different."